Time to Change Student Survey

 Time to Change is England's biggest campaign to tackle mental health discrimination, run by the charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness. They are working with the University Mental Health Advisers Network to take part in a University mental health and well being awareness day. In order to promote the day, we would like to hear your views about mental health. Please note, the answers you give will be used in the media. However all answers will be kept anonymous.

To access the survey follow the link below.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MFW6XRJ

Discriminatory mental health laws scrapped.

Mental health organisations have welcomed new legislation that scraps outdated laws that discriminate against people with mental health problems. Read more at:


 http://www.mentalhealthtoday.co.uk/discriminatory_mental_health_laws_scrapped_31410.aspx?utm_source=http%3a%2f%2fnews.pavpub.com%2folmgroup_prolz%2f&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MHTnews12213&utm_term=Mental+Health+Today+news+%285-12+February%29&utm_content=42775

The National Student Wellbeing Photography Competition

Any student studying at a UK institution is welcome to enter and may submit multiple photographs in response to the brief.

Follow the link at:

http://www.mentalwealthuk.com/news/student-photography-competition-for-unimentalhealthday 

Is there such a thing as blue Monday?

Last Monday was the third Monday in January and has been decreed Blue Monday, when we are all supposed to be at our lowest. Is there such a day? How can we really measure this. Is this something we want to advertise anyway as is is a rather negative concept.

Have a look at the following article to join the debate.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/brain-flapping/2013/jan/21/blue-monday-depressing-day-nonsense-science?CMP=twt_gu

It seems a long time since I last posted here. Univeristy life has been very busy. I am not sure if there are more stressed and depressed students out there or if they are finding it easier to access the service. There have been some changes this year as I have gone from a team of one to a team of two. I have a support worker, Barbara, who works threee days a week and helps students organise their studies while managing their mental health.Students now have to book an appointment at the student support desk to relieve some of the pressure of email contact.

I am looking forward to the break. A time to recharge the batteries. We all have to look after our own mental health and if I don't look after mine I cannot help others do the same. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

What are your 5 Mental Hugs?

Last Tuesday an ‘Open you mind to mental health’ event was held on the Bedford Campus. We asked staff and students to think about how they looked after their mental health. Instead of 5 a day fruit and veg for your physical health we had 5 mental hugs for your mental health. Around 70 people gave us their ‘hugs’. Here are some of the responses to help you think about yours.

‘Say something positive every day’

‘Be nice to someone’

‘Sing’ 

‘Message a friend’

‘Movie night’

Eat chocolate’

‘Meditate’

‘Go for a walk in the park’

‘Tell someone I love them’

A student's experience of depression at university

 I would recommend reading this link. A great example of how sharing your fears about your own mental health can have a postive effect. We all need to be talking about mental health and supporting each other.

http://www.time-to-change.org.uk/blog/depression-anxiety-first-weeks-at-university